Machine for thinning cotton



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. R. F., B. 8v E. C. MOPHETRIDG'B.

MACHINE FOR THINNING COTTON. No. 579,543.

Patented Mar. 23, 1897,

m-AW w (No Model.) 28heet-Sheet 2.

l R. F.; B. & E. .G. McPI-IBI'RIDGE.

MACHINE FOB THINNING COTTON! N0. 579,543.

Patented Mar. 23, 1897 llwiTnn STATES ROBERT F. MCPHETRIDGE, BARTHOLOMEVV MCPHETRIDGE, AND EDWARD O. M-OPHETRIDGE, OF LIBERTY HILL, TENNESSEE.

MACHINE FOR THINNING COTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 579,543, dated March 23, 1897.

Applicationfiled August '7. 1896.

T at whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ROBERT F. MoPHE'r- RIDGE, BARrHoLoMEw MOPHETRIDGE, and

EDWARD O. MCPHETRIDGE, of Liberty Hill, in the county of Grainger and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Choppers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention, TO. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cotton-choppers; and the object thereof is to provide a machine of simple form with an improved arrangement of operating-gearing, and also improved mechanism for throwing the same in and out of gear.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction. hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, shown partly in section. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken at the rear of the machine. Fig. i is a bottom plan view. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the device for throwing the machine in and out of gear.

A designates the rectangular frame of the machine, from which at the front extends the tongue B, the frame being mounted at a point. just rearward from its transverse center upon the axle C. Upon this axle are the supporting-wheels D, each being provided with an internal ratchet E, whereby when the machine is moved forward the same will be operated, while when moved backward the wheels will move freely upon the shaft or axle without turning it, and thus the machine will not be operated. On axle-shaft C is large gear G, which meshes with small gear II, mounted upon the short shaft I in the forward portion of the frame. Gear 11 is splined to shaft 1, but is movable longitudinally thereon, so that the same may be moved into or out of operation with gear G, according as it is desired to have the machine in or out of 50 gear. Carried by short shaft I is beveled gear J, which meshes with similar gear K on op- Serial No. 602,100. (No model.)

crating-shaft L. This last-named shaft extends rearward and is arranged centrally upon the under side of the frame and at its forward end is journaled in head M, the latter being pivoted and adapted to turn between bearings M, as shown. Shaft L, adjacent its rear end, rotates in head N, which is slidable vertically between guides 0), de pending from the rear end of the frame, as shown. Projected vertically from head N is arm N, which is secured between the ends of lever P, pivotally mounted at one end upon the rear of the frame and at its opposite end connected bylink P, which depends through to the under side of the frame, where it connects with the bell-crank operating-lever Q, which is fulcrumed in the side of the frame, as shown, and which is within convenient reach of the operator. This operating-lever is provided with the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism Q, whereby the same is held at the desired adjustment and the operating-shaft in proper vertical position. Upon the rear of the shaft is the chopping-wheel R, provided with the radial arms S, carrying cutters or choppers S, the operation thereof being well understood by those skilled in the art.

For moving gear H in and out of mesh with gear G we provide the slotted plate T, which is slidable transversely upon the under side of the machine-frame, being held in place and limited in its movement by screws T, as shown, and projected from one end of this plate is the clutch U, which engages collar H of gear H. To the opposite end of plate T is secured the vertically-extending operatingarm V, which projects within reach of the operator, and which is provided with springdog V, the latter being adapted to engage the openings W in plate W upon the top side of the forward portion of the frame and thus hold plate T and gear H in the desired position with relation to gear G. v

The mechanism herein shown and de- 5 scribed, both for effecting the vertical adjustment of the operating-shaft as well as throwing the machine in and out of gear, is extremely simple and effective, the arrangement being such as is not liable to disorder. too The pivoted or swinging head M, in which the forward end of the operating-shaft is journaled, affords that shaft all the vertical play that is required for accomplishing its vertical adjustment by means of the lever mechanism described.

Having thus fully described our invention, What we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cotton-thinning machine, a frame, segmental guide 0, head N and means for adjusting the head in said guide, shaft L pivotally supported at one end to swing vertieally and j ournaled in head N to move therewith, a hoe carried by the shaft, and mechanism for rotating the shaft, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a cotton-chopper, the combination of the main frame, the drive-wheels, a driveshaft operated by the said wheels, the forward end of the main frame having an inwardly-extending arm or continuation of the tongue, a hoe-shaft extending horizontally the main frame and having its front end supported upon a horizontal pivot mounted in the inner end of said inwardly-projecting arm, the rear end of the shaft carrying a hoe, the vertically-adj ustable support at the rear end of the frame connected with the said hoeshaft at that point, the forward end of the said shaft carrying a beveled gear, a transversely-extending shaft having its inner end supported also in the said inwardly-extendin g arm, and having a gear engaging with the hoe-shaft gear, and a gearing between the said transversely-extending shaft and the drive-shaft, substantially as described.

3. A cotton-chopper comprising the main frame, the drive-wheels, the drive-shaft actuated thereby, a gear G upon the drive-shaft, a transverse shaft as I carrying a longitudinally-movable wheel or gear as H adapted to engage the gear G, the hoe-shaft extending longitudinal the frame and carrying the hoe at its rear end, the adjacent ends of the hoeshaft and the shaft I having intermeshing gears, a bar movable longitudinal the front end of the frame and transverse the frame proper, the said bar having a rearwardly-extending arm adapted to engage and move the wheel H and a vertically-extending rigid opcrating-arm, a catch carried by the said arm, and the front end of the main frame having openings with which the catch is adapted to engage when the bar is moved for the purpose of moving the wheel II in andout of gear with the wheel G, substantially as shown and described.

4:. In a cotton-thinning machine, the horizontal frame consisting of longitudinal and transverse members, the drive Wheels and shaft supporting the frame, shaft L arranged longitudinally of and beneath the frame and at its forward end pivotally supported by the frame to swing vertically, segmental guide 0, head N in the guide and forming a journal for the shaft, link N extended vertically from the head through the rear transverse member of the frame, lever P arranged longitudinally of and at one end f ulcrumed to the said frame member and connected between its ends to link N, bell-crank lever Q, fulcrumed to one of the longitudinal frame members with its horizontal limb connected to the free. end of lever P, a ratchet mechanism forlever Q, the hoe for shaft L, and gearing intermediate the drive-shaft and shaft L for actuating the latter, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination of the frame, actuating mechanism, chopping mechanism, a movable gear for connecting said mechanisms, el0ngated plate T slotted to move longitudinally on securing-pins in the frame, clutch-arm U rigid with the plate and engaging the movable gear for actuating it in unison with the movement of the plate, and mechanism for adjusting and holding in adjustment the plate, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a cotton-chopper the combination of the frame, the drive-shaft, a hoe-shaft extending longitudinally the frame and having its rear end vertically movable, a lever P having one end pivoted at one side of the rear end of the frame and extending transversely thereof, a bell-crank operating-lever pivoted to the op posite side of the machine-frame, a connection between the bell-crank lever an d the free end of the lever P, and a hoe-shaft support connected with the lever I intermediate its .ends, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT F. MGPHETRIDGE. BAR'IHOLOMEW MelllE'lRlDGll. EDWARD O. MOPHETRIDGE. lVitnesses:

J. T. HAMILTON, J. P. HAMILTON. 

